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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Notalis on December 10, 2003, at 15:01:43
Is it normal for people who suffer from mental illness to have strong faith or no faith?
Can you be in the middle?
I've had strong faith in christianity--from anglican to catholic, to non-denominational--medium faith in islam, a curiosity about buddhism, a complete aversion to the jehovah's witnesses, a feeling of being pulled toward Judaism, until I chucked it all and now think there is no god.
Is it normal to be so wishy-washy about one's beliefs (religious)?
Or is this another symptom of my mixed-up head?
I'd really like some feedback here, but PLEASE, no preaching.
I'd like to hear opinions and am open to them, but I don't want to be pushed (hence the aversion to the hovies--no offence meant)
Posted by Tovah on December 11, 2003, at 6:24:12
In reply to Wow, do I believe in anything? Help!, posted by Notalis on December 10, 2003, at 15:01:43
A lot of people feel the way you do. Not everyone is so honest! I hope you find what you are looking for.
Posted by Pathur on December 11, 2003, at 21:47:06
In reply to Wow, do I believe in anything? Help!, posted by Notalis on December 10, 2003, at 15:01:43
Hi Notalis,
I was raised an Anglican and went through communion etc.. but I found no comfort in organized religion and rituals. Over the years I have touched on other paths of spirituality and at times came close to becoming an athiest. I know now that I am definetly not a Christian and I always felt that if God exists then God must exist in a nurturing form, maybe even the energy that make us alive, I don't know, but what I do know is that whenever I am troubled or obssessed or just plain at a dead-end of what to do, I simply say "let go and let God", sometimes I may have to say that several times before my thought pattern changes, but I have yet to be let down. I can't say that God exists for anyone else, I can only say that God exists for me. When I think of God I think of God as my friend, my energy, my comfort, like a glass of "warm milk and honey".
Posted by Notalis on December 13, 2003, at 15:14:44
In reply to Re: Wow, do I believe in anything? Help!, posted by Pathur on December 11, 2003, at 21:47:06
You know, I think the day I said to myself that there is no god is after I read a horrible article in marie claire magazine about atrocities that are happening against children.
i can't accept that there is this benevolent being that lets children suffer because of ignorance.
it makes no sense to me.
i think we all have god within us, the power to do good and to treat others well.
but that rules out praying for me, 'cause who do i pray to, myself?
it's weird, because we're trying to buy a house right now and it's been really difficult because my inclination is to pray for whatever, guidance in my decision making, less stress, etc.
but, if i don't believe in a being, who do i think i'm directing those thoughts to?
i really want to look into buddhism but i'm totally terrified of going to their "church" by myself. it seems so foreign to me (not to mention, i live in a foreign country)
i just need to learn how to meditate, i think.
Posted by Notalis on December 13, 2003, at 15:37:30
In reply to Re: Wow, do I believe in anything? Help! » Pathur, posted by Notalis on December 13, 2003, at 15:14:44
And to be clear, I don't EVER want to argue my point of view on another.
That's why it's called "my" point of view.
On the other hand, i have conflict about how I'm raising my children.
Do I teach them what I believe? I think it's best they make their own decisions, and ovbiously, if i say i'm athiest*buddhist*jewish*muslim they will be more inclined to follow my lead (which isn't much of a lead).
I was told i was an episcopalian.Why? because that's what mom and dad were, and so on...
many people accept this in their lives (and are probably happy LOL) but i've never been able to.
i'm 33 and still can't talk to my family about any of this.
Posted by Tovah on December 13, 2003, at 17:46:19
In reply to Re: Wow, do I believe in anything? Help! » Pathur, posted by Notalis on December 13, 2003, at 15:14:44
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html
It will give you some idea of where your beliefs fall on the spectrum of different faiths and will give you ideas of where to go searching.
Also, read up on Beliefnet.com.
Good luck!
Posted by Dinah on December 13, 2003, at 20:37:41
In reply to Re: Wow, do I believe in anything? Help! » Pathur, posted by Notalis on December 13, 2003, at 15:14:44
Have you read "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" by Rabbi Kushner? His theology greatly influences my own, because it is hard to believe in a God that sits idly by when terrible things happen. I like most of his books, actually. I think that he is a process theologian, like I am.
I think there are several Buddhists who post to this board and might be able to help you if that's whay you are interested in exploring.
Posted by Notalis on December 14, 2003, at 15:30:29
In reply to Hey, try this..., posted by Tovah on December 13, 2003, at 17:46:19
Thanks, will do!
Posted by Dinah on December 14, 2003, at 18:01:57
In reply to Hey, try this..., posted by Tovah on December 13, 2003, at 17:46:19
My results remain pretty consistent
1. Reform Judaism (100%)
2. Bahá'í Faith (99%)
3. Orthodox Judaism (98%)
4. Sikhism (97%)
5. Islam (94%)
6. Jainism (75%)
7. Liberal Quakers (72%)
8. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (64%)
9. Unitarian Universalism (64%)
10. Neo-Pagan (61%)I need to look into how they get those percentages... How can Neo-Pagan and Protestant only differ by 3%?
By the way, I'm a Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestant IRL. No wonder I'm the Sunday School weirdo.
Posted by judy1 on December 14, 2003, at 23:52:20
In reply to Re: Hey, try this..., posted by Dinah on December 14, 2003, at 18:01:57
wow- mine was almost identical- and I was raised in the Catholic faith! interesting how my ideals have changed. and you always questioned when you were young?
Posted by Notalis on December 15, 2003, at 4:06:38
In reply to Re: Hey, try this..., posted by Dinah on December 14, 2003, at 18:01:57
Dinah, what's IRL?
Posted by Notalis on December 15, 2003, at 4:19:15
In reply to Hey, try this..., posted by Tovah on December 13, 2003, at 17:46:19
1. Liberal Quakers (100%)
2. Unitarian Universalism (98%)
3. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (91%)
4. Secular Humanism (87%)
5. Neo-Pagan (82%)
6. New Age (74%)
7. Bahá'í Faith (71%)
8. Theravada Buddhism (65%)
9. Mahayana Buddhism (64%)
10. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (62%)
11. Taoism (61%)
12. Nontheist (60%)
13. Orthodox Quaker (52%)
14. New Thought (50%)
15. Reform Judaism (49%)
16. Sikhism (48%)
17. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (47%)
18. Scientology (47%)
19. Jainism (45%)
20. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (41%)
21. Jehovah's Witness (35%)
22. Hinduism (34%)
23. Islam (27%)
24. Orthodox Judaism (27%)
25. Seventh Day Adventist (22%)
26. Eastern Orthodox (17%)
27. Roman Catholic (17%)I've got some reading up to do! Whoa1 WHere did the Jehovah's Witnesses come in! Yikes LOL
This is the end of the thread.
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